IG pays tribute to martyrs

LAHORE: Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Arif Nawaz Khan has said that Punjab Police is playing the role of front line soldier in war against terrorism and extremism.

The bold officers and officials of the force will not hesitate from any sacrifice for the protection of property and lives of people in future, the IG said while talking to reporters after the funeral prayers of martyrs of Raiwind blast in Police Lines, Lahore. He said that the police personnel who embraced martyrdom in Raiwind blast were the heroes of the nation who had set an example of committment to the duty.

The IG said that according to the initial investigations, the suicide bomber blowed himself up at the police check post during the change of shift that was 500 metre away from the place of the congregation. When the police officials intercepted him for checking, he blew himself up, claiming the lives of six police officials and four civilians. In the blast, total 18 personnel were wounded, including an ASP, SHOs and constables. Fifteen civilians were also among the wounded. All the wounded people are being provided with best medical facilities in different hospitals, he said.

The IG said the police and the teams of other institutions had collected initial evidences and started investigations. In the investigation, all aspects and objectives are being observed and soon the mastermind of the blast and the facilitator would be in the grip of law.

Replying to questions asked by the reporters, the IG said the apparent motive of the blast seemed to destroy the peace and order.

The dutiful personnel of Punjab Police will never allow anti-social elements and terrorists to fulfil their mean objectives, he added. While answering to a question regarding Pakistan Super League matches, he said foolproof security would be provided to all the teams and spectators during PSL matches. He said the media would be given the details after completion of the phases of investigation and it was before time to say anything about foreign funding or other resources.

He paid homage to martyrs of police and said that nation had been saved from a huge loss by the great sacrifice of the police personnel. The welfare of their bereaved families is the responsibility of Punjab Police, he said. After performing funeral, the IG visited Lahore General Hospital to inquire after the wounded police personnel.

Rescue 1122: The Punjab Emergency Service/Rescue 1122 director general has said nobody can give outstanding performance in operational duties without getting professional training with devotion.

He said this while addressing the newly recruited 945 rescuers of Basic-28 Course for all districts and tehsils of Punjab at the Emergency Services Academy at Thokar Niaz Baig on Thursday.

Hanzala Malik, former member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow Region was also present. The DG thanked him for his contribution to provision of technical assistance and training by Glasgow Fire Service for the establishment of a modern fire service of Rescue 1122 in Punjab.

The Rescue 1122 DG said the Punjab Emergency Service had provided emergency care to over 5.5 million victims of emergencies across the province without any discrimination while maintaining its average response time of 7 minutes. He said it had also saved more than Rs 270 billion loss of property by responding to the fire emergencies.

Hanzala Malik said main success of Rescue 1122 was due to the emergency training programme developed on modern lines first time in Pakistan. He lauded the performance of Rescue 1122. He said that the Service had developed a transparent system of recruitment to select right peole for the job.